An epidemiologic approach to host factors in the etiology of cancer

We examined the contribution of host factors in carcinogenesis by evaluating the frequency distributions and secular trends in available epidemiologic data of mortality and morbidity around the world. In most developed countries, the age-adjusted death rates of cancer of all sites have levelled off in recent years and the intercountry difference in mortality is small. Deaths from cancer account for approximately 20% of total deaths in these countries. It is believed that the difference in cancer mortality of all sites between the developed and developing countries can be explained by the different levels of mortality from infectious and parasitic diseases, including deaths from tuberculosis. A certain upper limit for the number of cancer deaths in each population is strongly suggested by the unaltered cumulative mortality rate from cancer and tuberculosis up to 85 years of age in a defined birth cohort in the developed countries. The apparent age dependency in cancer mortality as well as some other essential epidemiologic implications in carcinogenesis, the commonly observed proportion of cancer deaths of around 20% of total deaths, and the well-known etiologic importance of environmental factors which determines the site-specific cancer mortality and morbidity lead one to consider the definite existence of "susceptibles to cancer" in each population. However, the concept of susceptibles to cancer is different from the usual one of hereditary predisposition to so-called "intractable diseases," which have low incidence rates.

A test of significance for geographic clusters of disease

The geographic pattern of disease has been visually studied by depicting the categorized mortality or morbidity rates on a map. Visual study, however, by no means indicates the statistical significance of observed clusters, i.e., whether or not the geographic aggregations could occur by chance alone. In this paper, an approach for assessing the deviation from chance expectation of the geographic pattern actually observed on the map is described. A simple chi-square test is proposed, and its validity is substantiated by a Monte Carlo approach, which is derived analytically as a special case of Knox's test for space--time clustering. The parameters required for the test are (1) total number of areas, (2) numbers of subareas for each mortality of morbidity category, (3) total number of geographically adjacent areas, and (4) observed numbers of adjacent areas having concordant category pairs.

Fluorogenic Peptide Substrates For Proteases In Blood Coagulation, Kallikrein-kinin And Fibrinolysis Systems: Substrate For Plasmin And Factor XIa

Fluorogenic peptide substrates, peptidyl-4-methylcoumarin amides (MCA), are now commercially available and proved to be useful for the assay of α-thrombin, Factor Xa, urokinase, Limulus clotting enzyme, plasma and urinary kallikreins. We have newly synthesized the fluorogenic substrates for plasmin and Factor XIa and tested for their possible use as specific substrates for these enzymes. Among six peptidyl-Lys-MCA, Boc-Glu-Lys-Lys-MCA and Boc-Val-Leu-Lys-MCA were good substrates for bovine and human plasmins, which were activated by urokinase. Streptokinase-activated plasmin complex (molar ratio with 1 to 1) hydrolyzed the former but not the latter. Using Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA and Boc-Leu-Thr-Arg-MCA, a specific assay method for Factor XIa activated with Factor XHa in the presence of HMW kininogen and kaolin, was developed. The kinetic parameters of various proteinases towards the specific substrates were as follows: α-Thrombin (Boc-Val-Pro-Arg-MCA, Km=2.1x10-5M), Factor Xa (Boc-Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg-MCA, 1.6x10-4), Plasma kallikrein (Z-Phe-Arg-MCA, 2.4xl0-4M), Pancreatic kallikrein (Pro-Phe-Arg-MCA, 1.6x10-4M), Urinary kallikrein (Pro-Phe-Arg-MCA, 2.2x10-4M), Urokinase (Glutaryl-Gly-Arg-MCA, 4.4xl0-5M), Limulus clotting enzyme (Boc-Leu-Gly-Arg-MCA, 2.7X10-5M), Plasmin (Boc-Glu-Lys-Lys-MCA, 6.7xl0-4M and Boc-Val-Leu-Lys-MCA, 2.5x10-4M).

Physiological changes in the treatment of acrophobia (fear of height)

In order to investigate the physiological changes produced by the treatment of acrophobic patients body movement and Microvibration were measured before and after treatment. Eighteen acrophobic patients were assigned at random to 1 of the 2 groups: a treatment group (n = 8) and a non-treatment group (n = 10). The control group consisted of 16 healthy volunteers. Body movement area while viewing a slide of a high place or imagining a high place in the treatment group decreased significantly after treatment. Body movement of the control group showed almost no changes, and that of the non-treatment group was situated between the above-mentioned 2 groups. Simple body movements of the acrophobic patients without any stimulation of height were bigger than those of the control subjects. MV pattern of the treatment group had a tendency to improve under psycho-therapy. Acrophobic patients had more abnormal MV patterns than the normal subjects.

Fluorogenic Peptide Substrates for Proteases in Blood Coagulation, Kallikrein-Kinin and Fibrinolysis Systems: Substrate for Plasmin and Factor XIa

Fluorogenic peptide substrates, peptidyl-4-methyIcoumarin amides (MCA), are now commercially available and proved to be useful for the assay of α-thrombin, Factor Xa, urokinase, Limulus clotting enzyme, plasma and urinary kallikreins. We have newly synthesized the fluorogenic substrates for plasmin and Factor XIa and tested for their possible use as specific substrates for these enzymes. Among six peptidyl-Lys-MCA, Boc-Clu-Lys-Lys-MCA and Boc-Val-Leu-Lys-MCA were good substrates for bovine and human plasmins, which were activated by urokinase. Streptokinase-activated plasmin complex (molar ratio with 1 to 1) hydrolyzed the former but not the latter. Using Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA and Boc-Leu-Thr-Arg-MCA, a specific assay method for Factor XIa activated with Factor XIIain the presence of HMW kininogen and kaolin, was developed. The kinetic parameters of various proteinases towards the specific substrates were as follows: α-Thrombin (Boc-Val-Pro-Arg-MCA, Km=2.1×10-5M), Factor Xa (Boc-Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg-MCA, 1.6×10-4M), Plasma kallikrein (Z-Phe-Arg-MCA, 2.4×10-4M), Pancreatic kallikrein (Pro-Phe-Arg-MCA, 1.6×10-4M), Urinary kallikrein (Pro-Phe-Arg-MCA, 2.2x10-4M), Urokinase (Glutaryl -Gly-Arg-MCA, 4.4×10-4), Limulus clotting enzyme (Boc-Leu-Gly-Arg-MCA, 2.7×10-5M), Plasmin (Boc-Glu-Lys-Lys-MCA, 6.7×10-5M and Boc-Val-Leu-Lys-MCA, 2.5×10-4M).

Drug-nitrite interactions: species and sex differences in the formation of dimethylnitrosamine and its effects on the hepatic enzyme activities

Aminopyrine interacted with sodium nitrite in the stomachs of rats and guinea pigs forming dimethylnitrosamine, which affected the hepatic microsomal drug metabolism and certain hepatic enzyme activities. Sex and species differences in changes in the enzyme activities were observed after single or simultaneous administration of aminopyrine and sodium nitrite. A protective effect on dimethylnitrosamine formation with ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol was observed. The in vivo formation of dimethylnitrosamine by several antibiotics and an antihistaminic drug with tertiary amino group was also examined.

Inhibitors of erythroid colony-forming cells (CFU-E and BFU-E) in sera of azotemic patients with anemia of renal disease

A number of potentially toxic compounds accumulate in the sera of patients with end-stage renal disease, and some have been demonstrated to inhibit erythropoiesis. In vitro CFU-E and BFU-E erythroid colony growth was compared in the presence of sera from patients with anemia of renal insufficiency and normal human subjects with the use of plasma clot cultures of normal rabbit bone marrows. In studies of sera from nine undialyzed patients with anemia of renal insufficiency and seven normal human subjects, all undialyzed sera from the anemic uremic patients produced a significant (p less than 0.001) inhibition of both CFU-E and BFU-E. A marked reduction in the inhibitor of CFU-E was seen in the sera of three out of four patients following intermittent hemodialysis. Creatinine, guanidine hydrochloride, guanidinosuccinic acid, and guanidinobutyric acid did not affect the number of CFU-E in normal rabbit bone marrow cultures. These data suggest that uremic toxins in the sera of undialyzed anemic uremic patients inhibit erythropoiesis, are partially removed by regular hemodialysis, and may play an important role in the mechanism of the anemia associated with renal insufficiency. These inhibitors of CFU-E do not appear to be creatinine or guanidine derivatives.

Inhibitors of erythroid colony forming cells in sera of azotemic patients with anemia of renal disease

1. The plasma clot method of McLeod, et al8 was used to study the inhibitors of erythroid colony forming cells (CFU-E and BFU-E) in sera of patients with anemia of uremia. 2. Compared to sera from hematologically normal human subjects, sera from undialyzed patients with anemia of uremia produced a significant inhibition of CFU-E and BFU-E. 3. A marked reduction in the inhibitor(s) of CFU-E was seen in sera of 3 out of 4 patients following 16 wks of intermittent hemodialysis. 4. Creatinine, guanidine, guanidinosuccinic acid and guanidinobutyric acid had no effect on the erythroid colony forming cells. 5. Together with the relative erythropoietin deficiency, inhibitor(s) of the erythroid progenitor cell compartment may play a major role in the mechanism of the anemia of renal insufficiency.

Biofeedback modification of frontal EMG in normal subjects

We carried out a controlled study on the voluntary control of the frontalis muscle by biofeedback procedures employing 20 normal subjects. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 10: (1) the biofeedback group and (2) the control group. Each of the two groups received five training sessions of about 40 minutes' duration each on different days. The results obtained are as follows: (1) In the biofeedback group, mean EMG levels decreased progressively and markedly from 2. 16 muVp-p min the first session to 1.54 muVp-p min in the last session. On the contrary, the control group did not show constant decreases in EMG levels over sessions. (2) The changes in the heart rate did not correlate with the changes in EMG activity. (3) The changes in the respiratory rate correlated with the changes in EMG activity.

Fine body movement during autogenic training. Longitudinal and short-term changes

A sensitive electronic device (static sensograph) was used to record fine body movement in two similar groups of normal high school girls at intervals over a few months. One group received weekly instructions in the technique of autogenic training (AT) and was urged to practice it daily, whereas the other (control group) received no such instrutions. In the AT group mean body movement (eyes closed, sitting position) decreased with every session. At 3 and 4.5 months after training was begun (session 3 and 4, respectively) mean body movement of this group was significantly lower than in the first session, before training was begun. In the fourth (but not earlier) sessions the AT group also showed a significant decrease in mean body movement during AT compared with the periods immediately preceding and following it. In contrast, the control gorup showed no significant differences in means between any sessions or periods within a session. The results suggest that fine body movement as measured by a static sensograph is a useful parameter for studying AT and probably other relaxation procedures.

Epidemiological evaluation of funduscopic findings in cerebrovascular diseases. III. Observer variability and reproducibility for funduscopic findings

In order to evaluate observer variability and reproducibility for the funduscopic findings, the color slides of one hundred cases in Akabane and Asahi town in Japan were investigated and the following were revealed: 1. Observer variability for Keith-Wagener's classification was the least in the grade 3 and the most in grade 0. The variability of diagnosis between observers was the least for retinal bleeding and the most for anteriolar reflex and remarkable for lateral displacement and arteriolar narrowing. In general, the observe variability was one grade at most. 2. Reproducibility for Scheie's hypertensive classification was 73 per cent and that for Scheie's arteriosclerotic and Keith-Wagner's classifications was 66 per cent. Fairly good reproducibility was observed in retinal bleeding and poor reproducibility in arteriolar reflex and vertical and lateral displacements, In general, the intra-observer variability for the funduscopic findings was one grade at most. 3. Observer variability and reproducibility for the funduscopic findings would be improved by establishment of the detailed diagnostic criteria of various funduscopic findings, taking color pictures in focus and systematic training for the fresh doctors or technicians without enough experience. 4. The cases with definite narrowing of arteriole revealed smaller A/V ratio than 0.70.

Incorporation of [14C]glucose from UDP[14C]glucose into a phosphoglycolipid by cell-free particulate systems of a moderately halophilic gram-negative bacterium, Pseudomonas halosaccharolytica ATCC 29423

A glucosyl group from uridine diphosphate [U-14C]glucose is incorporated into a phosphoglycolipid, probably a glucosylphosphatidylglycerol, by a disrupted membrane enzyme preparation from a gram-negative, moderately halophilic bacterium, Pseudomonas halosaccharolytica ATCC 29423. The conversion of [14C]phosphatidylglycerol into phosphoglycolipid by the particulate preparation was also enhanced in the presence of non-labelled UDP-glucose. A chemical degradation study of labelled phosphoglycolipid showed the bulk of the radioactivity from UDP[U-14C]glucose to be associated with the glucose moiety, which also appeared to be attached to the hydroxyl group of a second glycerol.

Studies on the mechanism of the anemia of renal insufficiency

1. The present studies have demonstrated that the titers of erythropoietin may be elevated to varying degrees in patients with anemia associated with end-stage renal disease. However, the increase in erythropoietin titers was apparently not sufficient to meet the increase in demand for new red blood cells created by their shortened life span and the inhibitors of heme synthesis and/or erythroid colony forming cells (CFU-E). 2. Inhibitors of heme synthesis were demonstrated in the plasma of some but not all patients with anemia associated with renal disease and in rabbits 72 hrs following bilateral nephrectomy. 3. CFU-E were both increased and decreased in the bone marrows of the chronic anemic uremic rabbits, when compared with that of sham operated controls, 14 and 21 days after 5/6th nephrectomy and depended on the rate of regeneration of the renal erythropoietic and excretory functions. CFU-E in marrows of 5/6th nephrectomy rabbits were decreased after 35 days. 4. An inhibitor of CFU-E was increased in the sera from chronic anemic uremic rabbits, when compared with that of the sham-operated controls, 35 days after 5/6th nephrectomy. 5. It is possible that in the anemia of uremia in addition to inadequate production of erythropoietin there is a defect in the differentiation of the CFU-E into the heme synthesizing erythroid series due to the presence of a specific inhibitor of CFU-E and/or heme synthesis.

Occurrence of 2- and 3-hydroxy fatty acids in high concentrations in the extractable and bound lipids of Flavobacterium meningosepticum and Flavobacterium IIb

The major hydroxy fatty acids of cellular lipids in Flavobacterium meningosepticum and Flavobacterium sp. King's group UUb were identified as 2-hydroxy 13-methyltetradecanoic, 3-hydroxy 13-methyltetradecanoic, 3-hydroxy palmitic, and 3-hydroxy 15-methylhexadecanoic acids using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and GC-mass fragmentography. The concentration of these hydroxy fatty acids comprised up to 30-40% of the total extractable and 20-30% of the bound lipid fatty acids, respectively. From the stability for mild alkaline hydrolysis, 2-hydroxy fatty acids seemed to be attached with ester linkage, and 3-hydroxy fatty acids with amide linkage.

The mechanism of action of the copper intrauterine device

The effects of copper ions on the binding of steroids to receptors revealed that the inhibitory effect of Cu++ was apparent at 10(-6)M, ANd the binding capacities decreased to 10% at 10(-2)M Cu++. The kinetic study demonstrated that Cu++ was a competitive inhibitor of steroid hormone-receptor binding (Ki divided by 2.7 X 10(-5)M to estrogen receptor; Ki divided by 5.1 X 10(-6)M to progesterone receptor). These results indicate that copper ions interfere at the steroid-binding site of receptor and that progesterone receptor is more affected by copper ions than is estrogen receptor. The sedimentation pattern showed the dissociation and aggregation of receptor macromolecules by copper. These phenomena may indicate the biologic inactivation of receptor. In fact, morphologically, progestational proliferation was severely inhibited and estrogenic action seemed to be inhibited. The Timm stain showed copper uptake by endometrial epithelium and superficial stromata. The copper content apparently increased in the cytoplasm of uteri bearing a copper intrauterine device, compared with controls. In vivo, the concentration of cytoplasmic copper was approximately 1.4 X 10(-6)M, which was obviously inhibitory to steroid hormone-receptor interaction. However, complete morphologic suppression of the progestational effect by copper cannot exclude the coexistence of some other mechanism in these phenomena.